Construction Begins on Australia's Tallest Timber Tower

Construction has begun on Impact Investment Group’s 25 King development, set to become Australia’s tallest cross-laminated timber building and one of the tallest in the world.

The 10-storey, 45-metre building at Brisbane’s Showgrounds, designed by Bates Smart, will provide 15,000 square metres of net lettable area, including three ground level retail tenancies, and is set to become home to global engineering firm Aurecon. It is being developed and built by Lendlease with handover to IIG on completion, expected in late 2018.

Acting premier and planning minister Jackie Trad was on site on Thursday to mark the start of construction, praising the innovative use of CLT and glulam.

“These materials are sustainable, strong and light, with a structural strength akin to the traditional concrete and steel,” Ms Trad said. “This is a great example of the type of development we’ll be seeing more of in the future, and it puts Queensland at forefront of cutting edge sustainable construction practices.”

The building’s use of CLT will reduce embodied carbon emissions, with other sustainability features including controlled lighting, heating and cooling from a single interface, large glass areas to maximise natural daylight, and sunshades on western and eastern facades to reduce energy consumption. There will also be electric vehicle charging points, 152 bike racks, with end of trip facilities including 16 showers and 158 lockers. The building is targeting 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built v1.1 and 5 star NABERS Energy ratings.

IIG chief executive Chris Lock said the company was committed to investing in property that would move Australia to a lo-carbon future. “We look for property investments with excellent potential for environmental sustainability; where we can fund best-in-class construction, or actively manage existing properties to drive energy efficiency and very positive social outcomes,” he said.